Source: WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
ECOLOGY OF COYOTES IN THE APPALACHIAN REGION
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0217991
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Mar 1, 2009
Project End Date
Mar 1, 2014
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
886 CHESTNUT RIDGE RD RM 202
MORGANTOWN,WV 26505-2742
Performing Department
Forestry
Non Technical Summary
There remains a paucity of information on the ecological and economic impacts of increasing numbers of coyotes in the Appalachian region. No peer-reviewed studies are available from West Virginia although some gray-literature information is available (e.g., Taylor et al. 1976, Wykle 1999). Few other studies are available from surrounding states of Kentucky (Crossett and Elliott 1991), Ohio (Weeks et al. 1990, Cepek 2004), and Pennsylvania (McGinnis 1979). The preponderance of research on eastern coyotes has been conducted in Maine and other New England states where environmental conditions and perhaps ecological requirements of coyotes differ from those of the central and southern Appalachians. Although many of the life-history requirements of Appalachian coyotes may be similar to their New England and western counterparts, differences in habitat patterns, land use practices, and community assemblages warrant the need for additional research to enhance our knowledge base and aid in future management decisions.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1350830107060%
1360830107010%
3140830107030%
Knowledge Area
135 - Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife; 136 - Conservation of Biological Diversity; 314 - Toxic Chemicals, Poisonous Plants, Naturally Occurring Toxins, and Other Hazards Affecting Animals;

Subject Of Investigation
0830 - Wild animals;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;
Goals / Objectives
The purpose of this project is to provide information that will increase our knowledge of the ecology of the eastern coyote in West Virginia and the central Appalachian region. Specific objectives include: (1) A general assessment of seasonal food habits of coyotes in West Virginia; (2) Examine economic impacts of coyote depredation on livestock farmers in West Virginia; (3) Habitat use and spatial requirements of coyotes in West Virginia; (4) Relation of native fauna and livestock in coyote prey selection; and (5) Ecological impacts of coyotes on native species assemblages.
Project Methods
This project will be conducted in multiple phases to ensure efficacy and modification of study designs based on previous findings and changes in funding. Phase One Food habits - objective 1: An extensive effort will be made to collect stomach samples from trappers, hunters, and Wildlife Service personnel beginning in fall 2009. The geographic coverage from which stomachs are collected will depend on hunter and trapper cooperation and logistics involved in retrieving the samples. We plan to work closely with the West Virginia Trapper Association and other groups to promote our efforts. Stomach samples will be processed following Korschgen (1957, 1980) and McDonald et al. (2005); DNA techniques may be employed to identify tissue samples to species (Farrell et al. 2000). Depending on number and temporal and spatial distribution of samples, we will compare diets relative to gender, age class, season, habitat type, etc. Calf depredation - objective 2: We will work with a subset of cattle farmers in West Virginia to estimate calf mortality caused by coyotes. Farmers will be selected from a producer database in areas of known coyote abundance. During calving season, we will record all mortalities and whenever possible investigate the site to determine if cause of death was due to coyote depredation or some other unrelated factor i.e., the coyote was simply feeding on the carcass. DNA techniques (Williams et al. 2003, Blejwas et al. 2006) may be used to identify depredating individuals via salivary samples taken at kill sites and those from trapped or harvested coyotes within the surrounding area. Our analysis will include an attempt to quantify the true economic impact that coyote predation is having on the local farm community. Phase one will take 2-3 years to complete; subsequent phases will depend on our preliminary success and funding opportunities.

Progress 03/01/09 to 03/01/14

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience during this period was wildlife biologists and managers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? We have the following manuscripts in preparation to disseminate the results of this project: 1) Albers, G., J.W. Edwards, R.E. Rogers, and L.L. Mastro. Dietary Plasticity of Coyotes in West Virginia. 2) Albers, G., J.W. Edwards, R.E. Rogers, and L.L. Mastro. Occurrence of Physaloptera spp. in Coyote Stomachs in West Virginia. 3) Albers, G., J.W. Edwards, R.E. Rogers, and L.L. Mastro. Natality of Yearling Coyotes in West Virginia. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During this reporting period we have focused on disseminating information relative to objectives number 1, 4 and 5. We have 3 manuscripts in preparation to meet this goal.

Publications


    Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

    Outputs
    Target Audience: State wildlife agencies; wildlife control personnel; parties interested in coyote ecology and management. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? I am currently working with the former graduate student on this project to produce several journal publications.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Nothing to report this period.

    Publications


      Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

      Outputs
      OUTPUTS: The graduate student on the project completed her thesis and graduated during this reporting period. PARTICIPANTS: Collaborators on this project include WVDNR and WV Wildlife Services. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

      Impacts
      Completion of the student's thesis will provide valuable information for the management of coyotes for WV DNR and Wildlife Services.

      Publications

      • Albers, G.F. 2012. Coyote diets in West Virginia. MS thesis, West Virginia University, Morgantown.


      Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

      Outputs
      OUTPUTS: The graduate student completed data collection and data analysis and has begun to draft her thesis. Two undergraduate interns assisted on the project for 3 months. PARTICIPANTS: Collaborators on this project include WVDNR and WV Wildlife Services. Two undergraduates completed 3-month internships working on data collection and summation. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

      Impacts
      Completion of the student's research will provide valuable information for management of coyotes by the state DNR. The graduate student gave several presentations at scientific and public meetings.

      Publications

      • No publications reported this period


      Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

      Outputs
      OUTPUTS: Invited talks/poster given by graduate student conducting project: Elkins, WV, WVDNR, January 28, 2010 Morgantown, WV, Monongalia County Farm Bureau, March 18, 2010 Weston, WV, Lewis County Livestock Association, May 20, 2010 Glenville, WV, West Virginia Trappers Association, September 17, 2010 Cottageville, WV, West Virginia Wildlife Society, September 23, 2010 Biloxi, MS, SEAFWA, October 19, 2010 PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

      Impacts
      Findings/results are preliminary at this time .

      Publications

      • No publications reported this period


      Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

      Outputs
      OUTPUTS: This is a new project begun 3/2009. No outputs to report. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

      Impacts
      This is a new project begun 3/2009. No outcomes/impacts to report.

      Publications

      • No publications reported this period